About the only thing that could possibly mar a strong first quarter of hockey for Jaromir Jagr was an injury.
Jagr will miss his second straight game and fourth in the last five Saturday at Madison Square Garden with a groin pull as the Flyers meet the Rangers for the first time this season.
Jagr has 17 points for the Flyers in 19 games. The chemistry he has shown with Claude Giroux, who is having an MVP-type season, is pretty obvious.
Jagr said this week he is thrilled to be playing on a team with younger players he can mentor. He says its given him a valuable role in his later yearsthe ability to pass on advice.
So the obvious question we had for him was whether its sparked something inside of him to perhaps ask the Flyers for a contract extension.
Its too early to tell, Jagr replied. I want to wait for the whole season and playoffs. I just dont want to be somewhere where I cant help the team, just sit around. Its not me. I want to be a big part of the team to help the team, either way.
Its not about points, its about the whole team. Could we make the playoffs? How well do in the playoffs. Thats the hockey you want to playthe playoffs. That is what I missed the most. NHL playoffs and other leagues IIHF World Championships are totally different.
NHL
Jagr said one thing was for certain. He will be playing hockey somewhere next season.
E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net.